Michigan Lake Depths

Game fish · sunfish family

Largemouth bass

Micropterus nigricans (formerly Micropterus salmoides) · also called bigmouth bass

Recorded in 560 Michigan lakes and bays
Illustration of a largemouth bass in side view
AI-generated illustration, not a photograph and not to scale.
Grows to
Over 20 in and more than 7 lb in Michigan waters
Depth
Seldom deeper than 20 ft in Michigan
Most active
Warm water, 70–85°F
Spawns
Late spring–early summer
Eats
Mostly minnows and other fish; also crayfish, frogs and insects
Michigan record
11 lb 15 oz, 27 in — Big Pine Island Lake, Kent County, 1934

Where largemouth bass have been recorded

560 of the 1,288 Michigan lakes on this site with fish records list largemouth bass, across 77 counties, including 5 Great Lakes bays. Tap a dot to open that lake’s depth map.

Saginaw Bay, Bay CountyLake St. Clair, St. Clair CountyLittle Bay de Noc, Delta CountyWildfowl Bay, Huron CountyHoughton Lake, Roscommon CountyBurt Lake, Cheboygan CountyMullett Lake, Cheboygan CountyBrest Bay, Monroe CountyManistique Lake, Mackinac CountyBlack Lake, Cheboygan CountyHiggins Lake, Roscommon CountyFletcher Pond, Alpena CountyElk Lake, Antrim CountyGrand Lake, Presque Isle CountyLake Leelanau, Leelanau CountyLong Lake, Presque Isle CountyGlen Lake, Leelanau CountyHamlin Lake, Mason CountyBrevoort Lake, Mackinac CountyMuskegon Lake, Muskegon CountyDouglas Lake, Cheboygan CountyLong Lake, Grand Traverse CountyLake Skegemog, Kalkaska CountyGun Lake, Barry CountyPlatte Lake, Benzie CountyLake Mitchell, Wexford CountyCrooked Lake, Emmet CountyPortage Lake, Manistee CountyMartiny Lake, Mecosta CountyLake Missaukee, Missaukee CountyGull Lake, Kalamazoo CountyOtsego Lake, Otsego CountyBear Lake, Manistee CountyLake Margrethe, Crawford CountyLake Paradise, Emmet CountyLake Macatawa, Ottawa CountyLake Bellaire, Antrim CountyHodenpyl Dam Pond, Wexford CountyIntermediate Lake, Antrim CountyColdwater Lake, Branch CountyTawas Lake, Iosco CountyVan Etten Lake, Iosco CountyDevils Lake, Lenawee CountyBelleville Lake, Wayne CountyWest Twin Lake, Montmorency CountyCass Lake, Oakland CountySanford Lake, Midland CountyLake Cadillac, Wexford CountyWixom Lake, Gladwin CountyAustin Lake, Kalamazoo CountyCedar Lake, Alcona CountyDiamond Lake, Cass CountyMillecoquins Lake, Mackinac CountyThousand Island Lake, Gogebic CountyKent Lake, Oakland CountyBig Star Lake, Lake CountyPaw Paw Lake, Berrien CountyOtter Lake, Houghton CountyLake Fenton, Genesee CountyLittle Platte Lake, Benzie CountySage Lake, Ogemaw CountyOrchard Lake, Oakland CountyAu Train Lake, Alger CountyEast Twin Lake, Montmorency CountyMarble Lake, Branch CountyWamplers Lake, Jackson CountyChippewa Lake, Mecosta CountyFremont Lake, Newaygo CountyHess Lake, Newaygo CountyCenter Lake, Jackson CountyIndian Lake, Kalamazoo CountyCrystal Lake, Montcalm CountySilver Lake, Oceana CountyPine Lake, Barry CountyPontiac Lake, Oakland CountyWalled Lake, Oakland CountyWhite Lake, Oakland CountyTrout Lake, Chippewa CountySilver Lake, Grand Traverse CountyCorey Lake, St. Joseph CountyLobdell Lake, Genesee CountyCisco Lake, Gogebic CountyWhitmore Lake, Livingston CountyUpper Herring Lake, Benzie CountyWall Lake, Barry CountyNorth Lake, Branch CountyLong Lake, Kalamazoo CountySixteenmile Lake, Alger CountyVineyard Lake, Jackson CountyStony Creek Lake, Macomb CountyRound Lake, Lenawee CountyCrooked Lake, Missaukee CountyUnion Lake, Branch CountyDuck Lake, Calhoun CountyLake Orion, Oakland CountyKing Lake, Baraga CountyLong Lake, Iosco CountyLake Ann, Benzie CountyLake Hudson, Lenawee CountySand Lake, Lenawee CountyMunro Lake, Cheboygan CountyUnion Lake, Oakland CountyPalmer Lake, St. Joseph CountyLakeville Lake, Oakland CountySpider Lake, Grand Traverse CountyCrooked Lake, Lower, Barry CountyLincoln Lake, Kent CountyBass Lake, Mason CountyLake Ovid, Clinton CountyNepessing Lake, Lapeer CountyEight Point Lake, Clare CountyJordan Lake, Barry CountyLoon Lake, Iosco CountyWabasis Lake, Kent CountyThornapple Lake, Barry CountyArbutus Lake, Grand Traverse CountyAvalon Lake, Montmorency CountySixmile Lake, Charlevoix CountyEagle Lake, Cass CountyRose Lake, Osceola CountyBass Lake, Grand Traverse CountyWolf Lake, Jackson CountyRound Lake, Emmet CountyLake of the Woods, Branch CountyGoguac Lake, Calhoun CountyBig Bear Lake, Otsego CountyLong Lake, Ionia CountyUpper Straits Lake, Oakland CountyFishers Lake, St. Joseph CountyWiggins Lake, Gladwin CountyMiner Lake, Allegan CountyLake Chemung, Livingston CountyGrass Lake, Montmorency CountyBear Lake, Kalkaska CountyLake Stella, Alger CountySouth Commerce Lake, Oakland CountyGreen Lake, Allegan CountyMurray Lake, Kent CountyMatteson Lake, Branch CountyPickerel Lake, Newaygo CountyBrooks Lake, Newaygo CountyBodi Lake, Luce CountyBarton Pond, Washtenaw CountyDeer Lake, Charlevoix CountyLake Mecosta, Mecosta CountyBass Lake, Lake CountyDuck Lake, Montcalm CountyTipsico Lake, Oakland CountyShavehead Lake, Cass CountySaddle Lake, Van Buren CountyGravel Lake, Van Buren CountyMorrison Lake, Branch CountyLong Lake, Montmorency CountyBoyles Creek, Clare CountyColdwater Lake, Isabella CountyTownline Lake, Montcalm CountyBass Lake, Marquette CountyLake Oakland, Oakland CountySouth Dease Lake, Ogemaw CountyAu Sable Lake, Ogemaw CountyLake Nettie, Presque Isle CountyGeddes Pond, Washtenaw CountyOxbow Lake, Oakland CountyReeds Lake, Kent CountyDonnell Lake, Cass CountyThompson Lake, Livingston CountyBass Lake, Schoolcraft CountyBaldwins Lake, Cass CountySand Lake, Iosco CountyWinslow Lake, Iron CountyStrawberry Lake, Livingston CountyCedar Lake, Van Buren CountyLake Sapphire, Missaukee CountyFourmile Lake, Washtenaw CountyVan Auken Lake, Van Buren CountyHart Lake, Oceana CountyBankson Lake, Van Buren CountyEagle Lake, Kalamazoo CountyWolverine Lake, Oakland CountyLong Lake, Clare CountyLoon Lake, Oakland CountyRyerson Lake, Newaygo CountyEast Crooked Lake, Livingston CountySawyer Lake, Dickinson CountyRush Lake, Montmorency CountyClear Lake, St. Joseph CountyRoss Lake, Gladwin CountyLower Straits Lake, Oakland CountyGun Lake, Mason CountyLily Lake, Clare CountyWoodland Lake, Newaygo CountyHalfmoon Lake, Washtenaw CountyBig Pine Island Lake, Kent CountyNorth Lake, Washtenaw CountyLake Big Wolf, Montmorency CountyStylus Lake, Ogemaw CountySunday Lake, Gogebic CountyMcCollum Lake, Oscoda CountyEvans Lake, Lenawee CountyLake Cora, Van Buren CountyOre Lake, Livingston CountyBig Lake, Oakland CountyFarewell Lake, Jackson CountySilver Lake, Washtenaw CountyLong Lake, Lapeer CountyChristie Lake, Van Buren CountyBig Lake, Osceola CountyParadise Lake, Cass CountyPleasant Lake, Washtenaw CountyCavanaugh Lake, Washtenaw CountySouth Lake, Washtenaw CountyBostwick Lake, Kent CountyClear Lake, Barry CountySouth Scott Lake, Van Buren CountyRound Lake, Van Buren CountyRoss Lake, Schoolcraft CountyLittlefield Lake, Isabella CountyLondo Lake, Iosco CountySouth Lake, Branch CountyClifford Lake, Montcalm CountyBills Lake, Newaygo CountyGrassy Lake, Schoolcraft CountyRainy Lake, Presque Isle CountyChicago Lake, Delta CountyPratt Lake, Gladwin CountyJoslin Lake, Washtenaw CountySchool Section Lake, Oceana CountyIndependence Lake, Washtenaw CountyDiamond Lake, Newaygo CountyMurphy Lake, Tuscola CountyRifle Lake, Ogemaw CountyFord Lake, Mason CountyPark Lake, Clinton CountyMaple Lake, Van Buren CountyMiddle Straits Lake, Oakland CountyHardwood Lake, Ogemaw CountySugarloaf Lake, Washtenaw CountyHenderson Lake, Ogemaw CountyLake Manuka, Otsego CountyGreen Lake, Oakland CountyLong Lake, Oakland CountyLittle Long Lake, Barry CountyBass Lake, Livingston CountyLake May, Presque Isle CountyBudd Lake, Clare CountyLittle Brevoort Lake, Mackinac CountyFlat Rock Impoundment, Wayne CountySeven Lakes, Oakland CountyCornwall Creek Floodin, Cheboygan CountyPine Lake, Manistee CountyHicks Lake, Osceola CountyTurk Lake, Montcalm CountyBuck Lake, Iron CountyOliverda Lake, Branch CountyRound Lake, Jackson CountyBennett Lake, Livingston CountyKimball Lake, Newaygo CountyBig Lake, Allegan CountyLong Lake, Barry CountyIsland Lake, Livingston CountyMack Lake, Oscoda CountyBass Lake, Antrim CountyCedar Island Lake, Oakland CountySherman Lake, Kalamazoo CountyLake Ellen, Iron CountyThreemile Lake, Van Buren CountySugarloaf Lake, Kalamazoo CountyHermansville Lake, Menominee CountySteuben Lake, Schoolcraft CountyClear Lake, Montmorency CountyBristol Lake, Barry CountyVandercook Lake, Jackson CountyOcqueoc Lake, Presque Isle CountyCusino Lake, Schoolcraft CountyDuck Lake, Allegan CountyLittle Fish Lake, Cass CountyRobinson Lake, Newaygo CountyPine Lake, Genesee CountyPleasant Lake, Wexford CountyByram Lake, Genesee CountyBaker Lake, Menominee CountySchool Section Lake, Mecosta CountyBig Lake, Otsego CountyYoungs Lake, Mecosta CountyEast Lake, Luce CountyBruin Lake, Washtenaw CountyPickerel Lake, Newaygo CountyLee Lake, Calhoun CountyPetticoat Lake, Baraga CountyPaw Paw Lake, Kalamazoo CountyStevenson Lake, Isabella CountyGrass Lake, Kalkaska CountyMiddle Lake, Barry CountyOpal Lake, Otsego CountyBald Eagle Lake, Oakland CountyDeer Lake, Oakland CountyWoodhull Lake, Oakland CountyHoisington Lake, Livingston CountyColwell Lake, Schoolcraft CountyMorrison Lake, Branch CountyBear Lake, Hillsdale CountyCook Lake, Alger CountyGaylanta Lake, Montmorency CountyDevoe Lake, Ogemaw CountyCrockery Lake, Ottawa CountyTepee Lake, Iron CountyRush Lake, Van Buren CountyGreens Lake, Oakland CountyHi-Land Lake, Livingston CountyNottawa Lake, Calhoun CountyWinfield Lake, Montcalm CountyGrass Lake, Oakland CountyCrooked Lake, Little, Van Buren CountyHarwood Lake, Cass CountyHeron Lake, Oakland CountyLost Lake, Alger CountyStuart Lake, Calhoun CountyPayne Lake, Barry CountyArnold Lake, Clare CountyLake Emma, Presque Isle CountyFive Lakes, Clare CountyLong Lake, Mason CountyChief Lake, Manistee CountyCub Lake, Hillsdale CountyDerby Lake, Montcalm CountyTan Lake, Oakland CountyCrooked Lake, Washtenaw CountyLittle Bear Lake, Otsego CountyBush Lake, Oakland CountyBishop Lake, Livingston CountyIsland Lake, Schoolcraft CountyMountain Lake, Gogebic CountyLong Lake, Oakland CountyLake Sixteen, Oakland CountyCulhane Lake, Luce CountyJohnson Lake, Ogemaw CountyLoon Lake, Lake CountySand Lake, St. Joseph CountyBoot Lake, Schoolcraft CountyPickerel Lake, Kalkaska CountyBig Fish Lake, Lapeer CountyLower Pettibone Lake, Oakland CountySaddlebag Lake, Cass CountyShell Lake, Leelanau CountySilver Lake, Oakland CountyWilkinson Lake, Barry CountyTyrone Lake, Livingston CountyEast Twin Lake, Luce CountyUpper Scott Lake, Allegan CountyWolf Lake, Marquette CountyShupac Lake, Crawford CountyClam Lake, Antrim CountySand Lake, Montcalm CountyDana Lake, Delta CountyMoore Lake, Oakland CountyHuzzy Lake, Van Buren CountySelkirk Lake, Allegan CountyPole Creek Lake, Delta CountyLoon Lake, Oscoda CountyGrousehaven Lake, Ogemaw CountyArgo Pond, Washtenaw CountyMary Lake, Dickinson CountyMarkla Lake, Jackson CountyLake Lavine, Branch CountyCrystal Lake, Oceana CountyBobcat Lake, Gogebic CountyPike Lake, Marquette CountyGallagher Lake, Livingston CountyScram Lake, Kent CountyMuskrat Lake, Oscoda CountySchool Section Lake, Van Buren CountyLittle Bass Lake, Schoolcraft CountySouth Bar Lake, Leelanau CountyRound Lake, Hillsdale CountyDodge Lake, Schoolcraft CountyCrispell Lake, Jackson CountyGrebe Lake, Ogemaw CountyLoon Lake, Oakland CountyEmerald Lake, Newaygo CountyHamilton Lake, Dickinson CountyWilliamsville Lake, Livingston CountyShafer Lake, Van Buren CountyLong Lake, Barry CountyBig Bass Lake, Otsego CountyChain Lakes, Iosco CountySauble Lake #1, Lake CountyEagle Lake, Kalamazoo CountyBig Chub Lake, Otsego CountyBlind Lake, Washtenaw CountyWabascon Lake, Calhoun CountyStony Lake, Kalamazoo CountyOtter Lake, Lapeer CountyWoodard Lake, Ionia CountyWhite Lake, Jackson CountySugden Lake, Oakland CountyRoberts Lake, Cheboygan CountyClear Lake, Van Buren CountyIronjaw Lake, Schoolcraft CountyBridge Lake, Otsego CountyLake Fourteen, Van Buren CountyWoodburn Lake, Livingston CountySilver Lake, Cheboygan CountyCloverdale Lake, Barry CountyHubbell Pond, Oakland CountyBerry Lake, Wexford CountyCrooked Lake, Oakland CountyLake Shamrock, Clare CountyLong Lake, Kalkaska CountyFennessy Lake, Ottawa CountyStony Lake, Oakland CountyTwin Lakes, Cass CountyLoon Lake, Clare CountyHalf Moon Lake, Muskegon CountyHarts Lake, Calhoun CountyWolf Lake, Van Buren CountyLake Minnawanna, Lapeer CountyClear/Squaw Lake, Oakland CountyLake of the Woods, Manistee CountyDiamond Lake, Osceola CountyChilson Impoundment, Livingston CountyLoon Lake, Presque Isle CountyEmily Lake, Houghton CountyHall Lake, Barry CountyBrady Lake, Mecosta CountySilver Lake, Clare CountyLittle Island Lake, Iosco CountyLittle Long Lake, Clare CountyKaks Lake, Luce CountyPerch Lake, Clare CountySnap Jack Lake, Gogebic CountyGray Lake, Clare CountyDavison Lake, Lapeer CountyMoss Lake, Oakland CountyBass Lake, Oscoda CountyNevins Lake, Montcalm CountyEast Lake, Schoolcraft CountyChief Noonday Lake, Barry CountyEmerald Lake, Otsego CountySand Lake, Lake CountyGrey Lake, St. Joseph CountySutherland Lake, Clare CountyCrooked Lake, Montmorency CountyHewey Lake, Ogemaw CountyHunter Lake, Montcalm CountyWells Lake, Osceola CountyOsmun Lake, Cheboygan CountyTriangle Lake, Alger CountyBertha Lake, Clare CountyTeeple Lake, Oakland CountyGorman Lake, Washtenaw CountyRainbow Lake, Lake CountyGooseneck Lake (North), Mason CountyElkhorn Lake, Oakland CountyMitchell Lake, Iron CountyPickerel Lake, Otsego CountyDe Cheau Lake, Montmorency CountyGifford Lake, Lake CountyLittle Duck Lake, Gogebic CountyWinnipeg Lake, Calhoun CountyDickinson Lake, Oakland CountyAmbrose Lake, Ogemaw CountyRed Lake, Schoolcraft CountyTrappers Lake, Alger CountyGuernsey Lake, Kalkaska CountyReynolds Lake (South), Van Buren CountyToad Lake, Antrim CountyGravel Lake, Oakland CountyCenter Lake, Osceola CountyTown Lake, Alger CountyCarr Lake, Eaton CountyLake Four, Gladwin CountyFloyd Lake, Iosco CountyFeeding Ground Lake, Ogemaw CountyMaltby Lake, Livingston CountyBass Lake, Alger CountyFoch Lakes, Montmorency CountyClear Lake, Otsego CountyIndian Lake, Newaygo CountyBevins Lake, Oakland CountyLake Ferdelman, Presque Isle CountyHorseshoe Lake, Ogemaw CountyLime Lake, Kent CountyEllsworth Lake, Washtenaw CountySun Lake, Gogebic CountyPike Lake, Allegan CountyAndrus Lake, Chippewa CountyCrotched Lake, Oakland CountySkidway Lake, Ogemaw CountyRansom Lake, Newaygo CountyHungerford Lake, Newaygo CountyStewart Lake, Oakland CountyThornton Lake, Alger CountyGlidden Lake, Iron CountyWest Lake, Lapeer CountyPrince Lake, Oakland CountyMill Lake, Oakland CountyCochran Lake, Cheboygan CountyToms Lake, Schoolcraft CountyMuleshoe Lake, North, Schoolcraft CountyHart Lake, Kent CountyDeadmans Lake, Luce CountyLamberton Lake, Kent CountyBasford Lake, Lake CountyEstes Lake, Houghton CountyBig Trout Lake, Marquette CountyBay City Lake, Mackinac CountyWagner Lake, Oscoda CountyGold Mine Lake, Marquette CountyLake On-Three, Houghton CountyMurray Lake, Livingston CountyMohawk Lake, Oakland CountyGovernment Lake, Lake CountyPratt Lake, Luce CountyMead Lake, Kent CountyMiddle Lake, Barry CountyGraham Lakes, Oakland CountyLittle Tomahawk Lake, Presque Isle CountyGreening Lake, Newaygo CountyGreen Lake, Antrim CountyPickerel Lake, Washtenaw CountyLe Ferre Lake, Kalamazoo CountyKillarney Lake, Lenawee CountyWinnewana Lake, Washtenaw CountyFish Lake, Lapeer CountyLong Lake, Ogemaw CountySoldier Lake, Chippewa CountyHighbank Lake, Newaygo CountyIrish Lake, Houghton CountyAlderman Lake, Oakland CountyKunze Lake, Houghton CountyLodge Lake, Ogemaw CountySand Lakes, Grand Traverse CountyLittle Bass Lake, Otsego CountyWalker Lake, Chippewa CountyDagget Lake, Barry CountySilver Lake, Washtenaw CountyHeadquarters Lake, Roscommon CountyHorseshoe Lake, Barry CountyAshford Lake, Schoolcraft CountyTwin Lakes, Cheboygan CountyCedar Lake, Lapeer CountyUpper Twin Lake, Alger CountyCherry Lake, Alger CountyHowes Lake, Crawford CountyCarp Lake, Alger CountyHewes Lake, Ingham CountyRoxbury Pond, West, Chippewa CountyCrystal Lake, Montmorency CountyMcIntyre Lake, Livingston CountyLosee Lake, Washtenaw CountySand Lakes, Grand Traverse CountyHopkins Lake, Shiawassee CountyRainy Lake, Luce CountyCedar Lake, Kent CountyGlory Lake, Crawford CountySpring Mill Pond, Livingston CountySunken Lake, Schoolcraft CountyBright Lake, Crawford CountyDuperow Lake, Lapeer CountyHart Lake, Oakland County

Recorded here Other lakes with fish records

How we know

  • 449lakes where an angler registered one (Master Angler)
  • 114lakes where a DNR fisheries survey netted them
  • 101lakes the DNR has stocked with this fish; 64 of them are listed on stocking alone, because these fish keep breeding once established

A lake can appear in more than one line. A lake that isn’t listed may still have them: records exist only where someone caught, netted or stocked them.

Inland lakes on this list run from 5 to 19,592 acres (median 131) and from 3 to 192 ft deep (median 35 ft).

When and how big largemouth bass are caught

From 1,545 Master Angler entries, 1934–2025, from all Michigan waters including the Great Lakes. An entry needs a fish at least 21 in, so these describe big fish that anglers chose to register — where and when people fish, not how many fish a lake holds.

Entries by month

The busiest month is July (24% of entries); 2% come in December–February (lighter bars), mostly through the ice.

Size of registered fish

Half were 22.2 in or less, and 9 in 10 were under 23.8 in.

Method

Spincasting80%
Still Fishing12%
Trolling4%
Drift Fishing2%
Ice Fishing2%

Bait

Artificial lures59%
Worms and crawlers15%
Minnows and baitfish12%
Live bait (type not given)9%
Other1%
Wax worms and grubs1%

Share of entries that recorded a method (1,518) or a bait (747).

Lakes on this site with the most entries

  1. Fletcher Pond, Alpena 46
  2. Lake St. Clair, St. Clair 21
  3. Stony Creek Lake, Macomb 17
  4. Houghton Lake, Roscommon 14
  5. Austin Lake, Kalamazoo 13
  6. Lake Orion, Oakland 13
  7. Wixom Lake, Gladwin 12
  8. Lake Hudson, Lenawee 11
  9. Muskegon Lake, Muskegon 11
  10. Reeds Lake, Kent 11

Master Angler entries matched to each lake. A busy lake gets more entries; this is not a ranking of fishing quality.

Often found with

Share of these lakes that also list each fish.

How to recognize it

The upper jaw reaches past the rear of the eye. A deep notch nearly splits the spiny and soft parts of the dorsal fin. Usually light green with a dark green stripe along the side.

Don’t confuse it with

Smallmouth bass — The jaw reaches only to the middle of the eye, the two parts of the dorsal fin are joined, and the cheeks carry bronze streaks.

Up close

Illustration of a largemouth bass's head and front half from the side, mouth closed, with the upper jaw reaching past the back of the eye, a deep notch between the two parts of the dorsal fin, and a dark band along the side.
Largemouth bass: the upper jaw reaches past the back of the eye; the dorsal fin is almost split in two; a dark band runs along the side.
Illustration of a smallmouth bass's head and front half from the side, mouth closed, with the upper jaw ending below the eye, a shallow notch joining the two parts of the dorsal fin, and dark vertical bars on bronze-brown sides.
Smallmouth bass: the upper jaw ends below the eye, not past it; the dorsal fin is joined by a shallow notch; dark vertical bars on bronze-brown sides.

AI-generated close-ups, not photographs, drawn from the cited descriptions. They show what to look for; they are not a substitute for an expert identification (provenance).

Life in a Michigan lake

Largemouth favor shallow, weedy water and reservoirs with standing timber, in clear lakes without much current; they don’t tolerate heavy silt. After spawning most bass move deeper, but some largemouth nearly always stay shallow around weed beds, fallen trees or docks. In winter they keep close to the bottom but stay fairly active.

The male builds a nest on a rocky or gravel bottom, sometimes on the roots and leaves of water plants. Eggs hatch in 3–4 days, and the fry school over the nest while the male stands guard. The school breaks up about a month after hatching, when the fry are about an inch long; young bass can reach 4–5 in by the end of their first summer.

Source: Michigan DNR species page.

Rules and eating

Check the rules before you keep fish. Each lake page shows the regulations that apply there, and the Michigan Fishing Guide is the official source. Before eating fish from a particular lake, check Michigan’s Eat Safe Fish guidelines.

All 560 lakes with largemouth bass

Show every lake, by county

Alcona County 1

Cedar Lake

Alger County 13

Au Train Lake, Bass Lake, Carp Lake, Cherry Lake, Cook Lake, Lake Stella, Lost Lake, Sixteenmile Lake, Thornton Lake, Town Lake, Trappers Lake, Triangle Lake, Upper Twin Lake

Allegan County 7

Big Lake, Duck Lake, Green Lake, Miner Lake, Pike Lake, Selkirk Lake, Upper Scott Lake

Alpena County 1

Fletcher Pond

Antrim County 7

Bass Lake, Clam Lake, Elk Lake, Green Lake, Intermediate Lake, Lake Bellaire, Toad Lake

Baraga County 2

King Lake, Petticoat Lake

Barry County 20

Bristol Lake, Chief Noonday Lake, Clear Lake, Cloverdale Lake, Crooked Lake, Lower, Dagget Lake, Gun Lake, Hall Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Jordan Lake, Little Long Lake, Long Lake, Long Lake, Middle Lake, Middle Lake, Payne Lake, Pine Lake, Thornapple Lake, Wall Lake, Wilkinson Lake

Bay County 1

Saginaw Bay

Benzie County 4

Lake Ann, Little Platte Lake, Platte Lake, Upper Herring Lake

Berrien County 1

Paw Paw Lake

Branch County 11

Coldwater Lake, Lake Lavine, Lake of the Woods, Marble Lake, Matteson Lake, Morrison Lake, Morrison Lake, North Lake, Oliverda Lake, South Lake, Union Lake

Calhoun County 8

Duck Lake, Goguac Lake, Harts Lake, Lee Lake, Nottawa Lake, Stuart Lake, Wabascon Lake, Winnipeg Lake

Cass County 10

Baldwins Lake, Diamond Lake, Donnell Lake, Eagle Lake, Harwood Lake, Little Fish Lake, Paradise Lake, Saddlebag Lake, Shavehead Lake, Twin Lakes

Charlevoix County 2

Deer Lake, Sixmile Lake

Cheboygan County 11

Black Lake, Burt Lake, Cochran Lake, Cornwall Creek Floodin, Douglas Lake, Mullett Lake, Munro Lake, Osmun Lake, Roberts Lake, Silver Lake, Twin Lakes

Chippewa County 5

Andrus Lake, Roxbury Pond, West, Soldier Lake, Trout Lake, Walker Lake

Clare County 15

Arnold Lake, Bertha Lake, Boyles Creek, Budd Lake, Eight Point Lake, Five Lakes, Gray Lake, Lake Shamrock, Lily Lake, Little Long Lake, Long Lake, Loon Lake, Perch Lake, Silver Lake, Sutherland Lake

Clinton County 2

Lake Ovid, Park Lake

Crawford County 5

Bright Lake, Glory Lake, Howes Lake, Lake Margrethe, Shupac Lake

Delta County 4

Chicago Lake, Dana Lake, Little Bay de Noc, Pole Creek Lake

Dickinson County 3

Hamilton Lake, Mary Lake, Sawyer Lake

Eaton County 1

Carr Lake

Emmet County 3

Crooked Lake, Lake Paradise, Round Lake

Genesee County 4

Byram Lake, Lake Fenton, Lobdell Lake, Pine Lake

Gladwin County 5

Lake Four, Pratt Lake, Ross Lake, Wiggins Lake, Wixom Lake

Gogebic County 8

Bobcat Lake, Cisco Lake, Little Duck Lake, Mountain Lake, Snap Jack Lake, Sun Lake, Sunday Lake, Thousand Island Lake

Grand Traverse County 7

Arbutus Lake, Bass Lake, Long Lake, Sand Lakes, Sand Lakes, Silver Lake, Spider Lake

Hillsdale County 3

Bear Lake, Cub Lake, Round Lake

Houghton County 6

Emily Lake, Estes Lake, Irish Lake, Kunze Lake, Lake On-Three, Otter Lake

Huron County 1

Wildfowl Bay

Ingham County 1

Hewes Lake

Ionia County 2

Long Lake, Woodard Lake

Iosco County 9

Chain Lakes, Floyd Lake, Little Island Lake, Londo Lake, Long Lake, Loon Lake, Sand Lake, Tawas Lake, Van Etten Lake

Iron County 6

Buck Lake, Glidden Lake, Lake Ellen, Mitchell Lake, Tepee Lake, Winslow Lake

Isabella County 3

Coldwater Lake, Littlefield Lake, Stevenson Lake

Jackson County 10

Center Lake, Crispell Lake, Farewell Lake, Markla Lake, Round Lake, Vandercook Lake, Vineyard Lake, Wamplers Lake, White Lake, Wolf Lake

Kalamazoo County 11

Austin Lake, Eagle Lake, Eagle Lake, Gull Lake, Indian Lake, Le Ferre Lake, Long Lake, Paw Paw Lake, Sherman Lake, Stony Lake, Sugarloaf Lake

Kalkaska County 6

Bear Lake, Grass Lake, Guernsey Lake, Lake Skegemog, Long Lake, Pickerel Lake

Kent County 12

Big Pine Island Lake, Bostwick Lake, Cedar Lake, Hart Lake, Lamberton Lake, Lime Lake, Lincoln Lake, Mead Lake, Murray Lake, Reeds Lake, Scram Lake, Wabasis Lake

Lake County 9

Basford Lake, Bass Lake, Big Star Lake, Gifford Lake, Government Lake, Loon Lake, Rainbow Lake, Sand Lake, Sauble Lake #1

Lapeer County 10

Big Fish Lake, Cedar Lake, Davison Lake, Duperow Lake, Fish Lake, Lake Minnawanna, Long Lake, Nepessing Lake, Otter Lake, West Lake

Leelanau County 4

Glen Lake, Lake Leelanau, Shell Lake, South Bar Lake

Lenawee County 6

Devils Lake, Evans Lake, Killarney Lake, Lake Hudson, Round Lake, Sand Lake

Livingston County 21

Bass Lake, Bennett Lake, Bishop Lake, Chilson Impoundment, East Crooked Lake, Gallagher Lake, Hi-Land Lake, Hoisington Lake, Island Lake, Lake Chemung, Maltby Lake, McIntyre Lake, Murray Lake, Ore Lake, Spring Mill Pond, Strawberry Lake, Thompson Lake, Tyrone Lake, Whitmore Lake, Williamsville Lake, Woodburn Lake

Luce County 8

Bodi Lake, Culhane Lake, Deadmans Lake, East Lake, East Twin Lake, Kaks Lake, Pratt Lake, Rainy Lake

Mackinac County 5

Bay City Lake, Brevoort Lake, Little Brevoort Lake, Manistique Lake, Millecoquins Lake

Macomb County 1

Stony Creek Lake

Manistee County 5

Bear Lake, Chief Lake, Lake of the Woods, Pine Lake, Portage Lake

Marquette County 5

Bass Lake, Big Trout Lake, Gold Mine Lake, Pike Lake, Wolf Lake

Mason County 6

Bass Lake, Ford Lake, Gooseneck Lake (North), Gun Lake, Hamlin Lake, Long Lake

Mecosta County 6

Brady Lake, Chippewa Lake, Lake Mecosta, Martiny Lake, School Section Lake, Youngs Lake

Menominee County 2

Baker Lake, Hermansville Lake

Midland County 1

Sanford Lake

Missaukee County 3

Crooked Lake, Lake Missaukee, Lake Sapphire

Monroe County 1

Brest Bay

Montcalm County 10

Clifford Lake, Crystal Lake, Derby Lake, Duck Lake, Hunter Lake, Nevins Lake, Sand Lake, Townline Lake, Turk Lake, Winfield Lake

Montmorency County 13

Avalon Lake, Clear Lake, Crooked Lake, Crystal Lake, De Cheau Lake, East Twin Lake, Foch Lakes, Gaylanta Lake, Grass Lake, Lake Big Wolf, Long Lake, Rush Lake, West Twin Lake

Muskegon County 2

Half Moon Lake, Muskegon Lake

Newaygo County 17

Bills Lake, Brooks Lake, Diamond Lake, Emerald Lake, Fremont Lake, Greening Lake, Hess Lake, Highbank Lake, Hungerford Lake, Indian Lake, Kimball Lake, Pickerel Lake, Pickerel Lake, Ransom Lake, Robinson Lake, Ryerson Lake, Woodland Lake

Oakland County 56

Alderman Lake, Bald Eagle Lake, Bevins Lake, Big Lake, Bush Lake, Cass Lake, Cedar Island Lake, Clear/Squaw Lake, Crooked Lake, Crotched Lake, Deer Lake, Dickinson Lake, Elkhorn Lake, Graham Lakes, Grass Lake, Gravel Lake, Green Lake, Greens Lake, Hart Lake, Heron Lake, Hubbell Pond, Kent Lake, Lake Oakland, Lake Orion, Lake Sixteen, Lakeville Lake, Long Lake, Long Lake, Loon Lake, Loon Lake, Lower Pettibone Lake, Lower Straits Lake, Middle Straits Lake, Mill Lake, Mohawk Lake, Moore Lake, Moss Lake, Orchard Lake, Oxbow Lake, Pontiac Lake, Prince Lake, Seven Lakes, Silver Lake, South Commerce Lake, Stewart Lake, Stony Lake, Sugden Lake, Tan Lake, Teeple Lake, Tipsico Lake, Union Lake, Upper Straits Lake, Walled Lake, White Lake, Wolverine Lake, Woodhull Lake

Oceana County 4

Crystal Lake, Hart Lake, School Section Lake, Silver Lake

Ogemaw County 18

Ambrose Lake, Au Sable Lake, Devoe Lake, Feeding Ground Lake, Grebe Lake, Grousehaven Lake, Hardwood Lake, Henderson Lake, Hewey Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Johnson Lake, Lodge Lake, Long Lake, Rifle Lake, Sage Lake, Skidway Lake, South Dease Lake, Stylus Lake

Osceola County 6

Big Lake, Center Lake, Diamond Lake, Hicks Lake, Rose Lake, Wells Lake

Oscoda County 6

Bass Lake, Loon Lake, Mack Lake, McCollum Lake, Muskrat Lake, Wagner Lake

Otsego County 13

Big Bass Lake, Big Bear Lake, Big Chub Lake, Big Lake, Bridge Lake, Clear Lake, Emerald Lake, Lake Manuka, Little Bass Lake, Little Bear Lake, Opal Lake, Otsego Lake, Pickerel Lake

Ottawa County 3

Crockery Lake, Fennessy Lake, Lake Macatawa

Presque Isle County 10

Grand Lake, Lake Emma, Lake Ferdelman, Lake May, Lake Nettie, Little Tomahawk Lake, Long Lake, Loon Lake, Ocqueoc Lake, Rainy Lake

Roscommon County 3

Headquarters Lake, Higgins Lake, Houghton Lake

Schoolcraft County 17

Ashford Lake, Bass Lake, Boot Lake, Colwell Lake, Cusino Lake, Dodge Lake, East Lake, Grassy Lake, Ironjaw Lake, Island Lake, Little Bass Lake, Muleshoe Lake, North, Red Lake, Ross Lake, Steuben Lake, Sunken Lake, Toms Lake

Shiawassee County 1

Hopkins Lake

St. Clair County 1

Lake St. Clair

St. Joseph County 6

Clear Lake, Corey Lake, Fishers Lake, Grey Lake, Palmer Lake, Sand Lake

Tuscola County 1

Murphy Lake

Van Buren County 20

Bankson Lake, Cedar Lake, Christie Lake, Clear Lake, Crooked Lake, Little, Gravel Lake, Huzzy Lake, Lake Cora, Lake Fourteen, Maple Lake, Reynolds Lake (South), Round Lake, Rush Lake, Saddle Lake, School Section Lake, Shafer Lake, South Scott Lake, Threemile Lake, Van Auken Lake, Wolf Lake

Washtenaw County 22

Argo Pond, Barton Pond, Blind Lake, Bruin Lake, Cavanaugh Lake, Crooked Lake, Ellsworth Lake, Fourmile Lake, Geddes Pond, Gorman Lake, Halfmoon Lake, Independence Lake, Joslin Lake, Losee Lake, North Lake, Pickerel Lake, Pleasant Lake, Silver Lake, Silver Lake, South Lake, Sugarloaf Lake, Winnewana Lake

Wayne County 2

Belleville Lake, Flat Rock Impoundment

Wexford County 5

Berry Lake, Hodenpyl Dam Pond, Lake Cadillac, Lake Mitchell, Pleasant Lake

Sources

← All fish of Michigan